BORN: October 26, 1940
DIED: April 2. 2019

Richard B. Yules was born in Hartford, Connecticut, son of Herman Yules, ’33 and Lilien Brown Yules. He prepared for Yale at Manchester (CT) High School.

Dick was a member of Calhoun and a four year member of Alpha Phi Omega (President, 1961-62). He roomed with Bob Titus. He was an Honors Major in Zoology in preparation for medical school.

Dick graduated from Yale Medical School in 1966. He had his residency in plastic surgery at Stamford Medical School (1968) and his residency in Otorhinolaryngology at Harvard Medical School (1971). He also served as an instructor on the Harvard faculty. He settled in Paxton, MA and founded and was managing director of Haelan Medical Center in Worchester and chairman of the Worchester City Hospital EENT department.

Dick also was a commercial pilot. He served as an FAA Class I Medical Aviation Examiner and Senior Crash Investigator for 24 years.

Dick proudly served for over 33 years in the National Guard. His posts included service as Massachusetts State Air Surgeon as well service during the Gulf War. He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and retired as a one star general. He also was the Army National Guard Assistant to the Office of Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. On his retirement he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal capping his remarkable career. Your scribe believes he is the only member of our class to rise to the rank of general.

Richard was an avid learner and educator. He published over 50 manuscripts and wrote 4 books. In addition, he was an expert marksman, earning the Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. He served as a scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 105. He was an accomplished tennis player and amateur guitarist who loved to write songs for family events, such as bar mitzvahs and weddings. He was an active participant in whatever community he joined, serving on many committees and most recently on the Board of Governors of Florida Atlantic University Foundation. In his recent years, Dr. Yules resided in Boca Raton, FL and spent summers in Mashpee, MA. Richard was above all a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, following his creed of “family first”.

Dick’s pride of family was exemplified in his posting for our 50th Class Reunion book. He wrote a moving tribute to his late father, Herman, an immigrant from Russia, who worked his way through Yale and George Washington Law School, served in New Guinea as an antiaircraft gunner in World War II and became a judge.

Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Lila Yules, his son Branch R. Yules (wife Tina) of Ashland, Mass., and his two daughters Dr. Dawn Johnson of Potomac, MD and Brooke James (Christopher) of Franktown, CO. He also leaves 5 grandchildren: Brandon Yules, Devon Yules, Tyler Thornton, Cheyenne Thornton, Blake Johnson, Rebecca James, and Stephen James.

Graveside funeral services were held on April 5, 2019, at Temple B’nai Israel Cemetery, Mansfield, Connecticut.

 
— Robert G. Oliver